Stanford is adding a top-40 men’s basketball recruit with a famous last name that’s already enshrined in Springfield.
Aziz Olajuwon, Hall of Famer Hakeem’s son, has confirmed his decision to join the Cardinal beginning in the 2026-27 season.
‘I opted for Stanford because the coaches emphasized that they care about me beyond my athletic abilities, considering me as a complete person,’ shared the younger Olajuwon with ESPN. ‘That consideration was crucial for me during my decision-making process.’
At 6-foot-7, this small forward is seen as an emerging talent, particularly after excelling in the JL3 grassroots program throughout the spring and summer. His perimeter shooting has shown significant improvement, with his 3-point accuracy reaching nearly 42 percent at the Nike Peach Jam in July.
Aziz’s commitment to Stanford marks the first major recruiting victory for new Cardinal coach Kyle Smith.
‘Coach Smith and the entire staff are genuinely invested in their players, both on the court and personally,’ stated Aziz. ‘Their enthusiasm, leadership, and ability to connect with the team left a lasting impression on me.’
Born in Canada to a Canadian mother, Aziz played for the country at the FIBA U19 World Cup
Hakeem Olajuwon, the most iconic player in the history of the Houston Rockets, is pictured at the 2025 NBA Draft lottery. He now dedicates his time to guiding young athletes at his ranch near Houston.
‘The visit gave a true glimpse into everyday life, going beyond a mere tour. I experienced the campus, interacted with people, and absorbed the culture in a genuine manner—it felt truly fitting.’
Currently excelling at the renowned IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, Aziz was initially born in Canada before mainly being raised in Jordan and London. Despite his family’s later return to Houston, where Hakeem achieved collegiate and professional fame, Aziz chose to represent Team Canada in this year’s FIBA U19 World Cup—a natural decision since it’s his mother’s home country.
‘My mom was really excited for me just to represent the country on the world stage,’ Aziz said during a July interview published by FIBA. ‘It’s an honor.’
Aziz obviously doesn’t have his father’s 7-foot frame, but may have inherited Hakeem’s intensity on the defensive end of the floor.
‘When I first went into high school, I was an ‘okay’ defender,’ Aziz told FIBA. ‘And he was always pushing defense and telling me at the collegiate level, you have to play defense. So I bought in and took pride in defense and enjoyed playing defense.
‘He’s always talking to me about my game – where I can do better, where I do well, and playing to my strength. He’s always criticizing me, which I’m really grateful for. And I’m blessed to have a father like that.’
Aziz Olajuwon goes up for a shot against player of Australia during the FIBA U19 World Cup
Houston’s Twin Towers, Ralph Sampson (left) and Hakeem Olajuwon, are seen in 1985
Hakeem famously left his native Nigeria – and his first love of soccer – to pursue basketball at the University of Houston, where he went from a redshirt to a reserve center to a national phenomenon for the Cougars.
He would ultimately be picked first overall in the 1984 NBA Draft by the hometown Rockets two spots before the Chicago Bulls would take Michael Jordan.
Alongside former Virginia center Ralph Sampson, Hakeem quickly became one of the best two-way players in the NBA as the Rockets stunned the Showtime-era Los Angeles Lakes en route to the 1986 NBA Finals, where they fell to the Boston Celtics.
A retooled Rockets team built entirely around Hakeem would later win two NBA titles in 1994 and 1995 as Jordan left the Bulls to play a season of minor league baseball.
Olajuwon would later finish his career in Toronto in 2002 before being inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2008.
Since then, Olajuwon has worked individually with some of the game’s best young centers, including current San Antonio Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama.
